The Nunaka Valley 11-12 girls softball team - US western region champs - made a strong impression on Bill Shaw, who watched them play in Portland and faxed this letter-to-the-editor:

"For the past World Series I have been extremely impressed with the Nunaka Valley/Anchorage Alaska softball team. The people and leaders of this area should be very proud of this group of 11-12-year-old softball players and its coaches. The girls performed/acted well beyond their age. BE PROUD.

"I have worked for over 30 years with Little League, ASA and high-school programs. Your Alaska softball team is what youth softball should be. They came to Portland, Ore., for the Little League World Series and were a pleasure to watch. The Little League World Series attitude, sportsmanship and support by these players, coaches and fans was something they showed. They were far superior to other teams here.

"It’s great the girls had smiles in most cases. However, it’s hard to smile when you don’t win a lot. Think about it – they won a lot of games to get here. I see a lot more happy, relaxed players on the Alaska team than I see on win-first teams. I also don’t see your coaches or parents yelling at or demeaning the girls. It’s nice to remember that they are just young girls still learning the game. I don’t see major league teams/players playing the perfect game.

"These girls do a great chicken dance, plus being active with cheers in the dugout and on the field. Better yet they had the girls sing the national anthem at the start of some of their games.

"I know they wanted to win more games, but they won the hearts of a lot of people in Portland. They will always be West champions and yes, one of the top ten teams in the world, and that can’t be taken away from the girls from Alaska.

"SUPER JOB GIRLS."

- Bill Shaw
Aloha, Ore.